More than a million have used UK food banks in the past year

[Herr Tubthumper]

Why should the billionaires be allowed to hoard such great wealth at the expense of billions of people? Most of them didn't "earn" it, in the same way top doctors earned their wealth for example, they simply got lucky. There are countless equally as talented & hard-working businessman and entrepreneurs who never strike gold. Capitalism is just a lottery that rewards a lucky few at the expense of everyone else on the planet.

I think Bakero was being sarcastic.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

That would encourage the irresponsible and at the same time discourage the responsible having children.

Is that what you really want?

Are you seriously suggesting someone's income determines if they would be responsible parents ?

Regardless, stop all child benefit for those earning over £30k and anyone that does get it is paid in food / clothes vouchers and free school uniforms.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

It is very interesting and perhaps the biggest concern is that food banks have now become an everyday part of life for some therefore will be around for ever now.

There are many divided political thoughts on this however the biggest issue is the enormous burden now placed on the welfare state that can no longer cope. How this can be resolved easily and quickly is a generation away in my view and not actually sure how to do it.

And sadly no government seems minded to start a generation long process.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

53% I believe.

Just looked it up.

47% home ownership in Germany

70% in the UK

 

[Bakero]

Just looked it up.

47% home ownership in Germany

70% in the UK

I believe the rental market is much more secure in Germany though. I'm sure Herr TT can elaborate on this.

 

[Creaky]

Why should the billionaires be allowed to hoard such great wealth at the expense of billions of people? Most of them didn't "earn" it, in the same way top doctors earned their wealth for example, they simply got lucky. There are countless equally as talented & hard-working businessman and entrepreneurs who never strike gold. Capitalism is just a lottery that rewards a lucky few at the expense of everyone else on the planet.

Most of the wealth owned by billionaires is not 'spendable' wealth but tied up in assets many of which provide employment for millions of people. How would you propose distributing those assets in such a way that the poorest would benefit whilst at the same time ensuring the employment prospects of millions wouldn't be affected?

How would shares in Microsoft feed a poor family? - Sell them? - fine, who to?

 

[Creaky]

Are you seriously suggesting someone's income determines if they would be responsible parents ?

Regardless, stop all child benefit for those earning over £30k and anyone that does get it is paid in food / clothes vouchers and free school uniforms.

Not the same thing - poor people totally dependent on the state for their income can be perfectly responsible parents - that doesn't mean they weren't irresponsible when starting a family knowing the state would have to financially support the children.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

I believe the rental market is much more secure in Germany though. I'm sure Herr TT can elaborate on this.

I'm sure it is.

 

[Nibble]

I am certainly no bleeding heart commie. I am in one of the most potentially high earning industries going, I went to public school, my other half is a successful entrepreneur, I strive to earn more and more money and quibble and negotiate to get myself as much pay as I possibly can.
I just have an aversion to seeing a fellow human being struggling to feed themselves or their children whether they be employed, made redundant, disabled or a numpty from a sink estate who has never worked a day in their life. As far as I'm concerned there is no sin great enough that I would deny a human being food or the chance to earn enough money to buy food.

 

[Bakero]

I think Bakero was being sarcastic.

And too subtle, apparently, which goes to show the kind of mental posts that do appear on NSC.

 

[Creaky]

I am certainly no bleeding heart commie. I am in one of the most potentially high earning industries going, I went to public school, my other half is a successful entrepreneur, I strive to earn more and more money and quibble and negotiate to get myself as much pay as I possibly can.
I just have an aversion to seeing a fellow human being struggling to feed themselves or their children whether they be employed, made redundant, disabled or a numpty from a sink estate who has never worked a day in their life. As far as I'm concerned there is no sin great enough that I would deny a human being food or the chance to earn enough money to buy food.

Likewise and that is why I support the idea of food banks.

I would go so far as to suggest that the state should expand the number of these facilities - introducing legislation forcing producers and retailers to send their 'waste' goods to these food banks rather than to landfill.

 

[Questions]

So now EVERYONE has to earn enough to buy a house. Something that has never existed in history.

Ok pay rent of 700 to 800 a month then. A two bedroom abode. Enough to raise a family in.

There we have saved some money already. So now that leaves a small fortune to live on. Good spot .

 

[Questions]

If you cannot afford to start a family, then maybe wait a while until you can afford to , instead of thinking the state should pay for it.

You may well be right. I think a lot of people will struggle to ever start a family then.
C'est la vie though you all cry.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I believe the rental market is much more secure in Germany though. I'm sure Herr TT can elaborate on this.

The percentage of income spent on the roof over your head is much much less as well.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

How do food banks work? Do the public literally take food along and donate? Can you donate money? How do recipients qualify, and how is the food distributed? Can you donate any food or is it just staples?

 

[mikeyjh]

And too subtle, apparently, which goes to show the kind of mental posts that do appear on NSC.

We need a sarcasm emoticon.

 

[somerset]

Why should the billionaires be allowed to hoard such great wealth at the expense of billions of people? Most of them didn't "earn" it, in the same way top doctors earned their wealth for example, they simply got lucky. There are countless equally as talented & hard-working businessman and entrepreneurs who never strike gold. Capitalism is just a lottery that rewards a lucky few at the expense of everyone else on the planet.

So if you 'get lucky' and win some cash on the lottery, or even if you inherit someones estate,.... are you going to put your money where your mouth is ( no pun intended), and only retain what you reasonably need and distribute the rest ot those in need around the globe?

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

How do food banks work? Do the public literally take food along and donate? Can you donate money? How do recipients qualify, and how is the food distributed? Can you donate any food or is it just staples?

you probably can donate money but it would probably go towards running costs (overheads etc.). The food is either donated from individuals or from supermarkets (some are more generous than others). Recipients are from referral only (either from charities like the one I work for, or in some cases the council). Once a referral is made, an appointment time is set and you head along and pretty much take as much as you can carry. You can donate any food but consider the target audience....a fiver of pasta will be better appreciated than a fiver of houmous for example. They also provide things like bedding and kitchen equipment.

(this is from the one example that I work regularly with....to my knowledge it's the largest in Brighton)

more info is here- the website is a bit cheesy and christian but there is some important stuff on there

http://www.brightonandhovecitymission.org.uk/activities/basics-bank/

 

[Creaky]

Why should the billionaires be allowed to hoard such great wealth at the expense of billions of people? Most of them didn't "earn" it, in the same way top doctors earned their wealth for example, they simply got lucky. There are countless equally as talented & hard-working businessman and entrepreneurs who never strike gold. Capitalism is just a lottery that rewards a lucky few at the expense of everyone else on the planet.

you probably can donate money but it would probably go towards running costs (overheads etc.). The food is either donated from individuals or from supermarkets (some are more generous than others). Recipients are from referral only (either from charities like the one I work for, or in some cases the council). Once a referral is made, an appointment time is set and you head along and pretty much take as much as you can carry. You can donate any food but consider the target audience....a fiver of pasta will be better appreciated than a fiver of houmous for example. They also provide things like bedding and kitchen equipment.

(this is from the one example that I work regularly with....to my knowledge it's the largest in Brighton)

more info is here- the website is a bit cheesy and christian but there is some important stuff on there

http://www.brightonandhovecitymission.org.uk/activities/basics-bank/

As someone working at the sharp end how would you feel about legislation requiring supermarkets and producers to offer 'waste' food, (damaged packaging, best before dates etc), to food banks before they were allowed to send it to landfill?

Would you be in favour of greater state support of such facilities and increasing the number of food banks?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

you probably can donate money but it would probably go towards running costs (overheads etc.). The food is either donated from individuals or from supermarkets (some are more generous than others). Recipients are from referral only (either from charities like the one I work for, or in some cases the council). Once a referral is made, an appointment time is set and you head along and pretty much take as much as you can carry. You can donate any food but consider the target audience....a fiver of pasta will be better appreciated than a fiver of houmous for example. They also provide things like bedding and kitchen equipment.

(this is from the one example that I work regularly with....to my knowledge it's the largest in Brighton)

more info is here- the website is a bit cheesy and christian but there is some important stuff on there

http://www.brightonandhovecitymission.org.uk/activities/basics-bank/

Thanks. Intersting website and it and you have answered a lot of my questions. The critics of food banks should read this website.